The Italian bee (Apis mellifera ligustica, also known as the Italian bee) is a naturally occurring breed (subspecies) of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera). Beekeepers simply refer to it as Ligustica. Its color tends to be yellow, with variations ranging from lemon yellow to leather brown. It is considered the best collector of floral honey, a fact recognized by beekeepers in other parts of the world. Today, this breed is the most commonly kept honeybee worldwide. It is even successfully kept in Scandinavia and Alaska. In Germany, it has never gained a foothold; however, unlike the Carniolan bee from Carinthia, no efforts have been made to adapt it to German conditions. A dedicated breeding association has specifically selected Ligustica for the production of royal jelly. Illustrated with 8 black and white images. Reprint.